February 29th Game Recap: Wizards vs. Magic

The Wizards fought back from another early deficit, but came up short in the end and fell 102-95 to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night at Verizon Center.

The team got off to a slow start, but rallied towards the end of the first half and went into the locker room only down five (46-41).

Jordan Crawford caught fire in the third quarter (14 of his 18 points) and carried the Wizards into the lead, but the Magic answered the bell and took a one point lead with them into the fourth quarter.

John Wall did everything he could in the fourth to try and lead the Wizards to victory, but his game-high 33 points were not enough, as the team could not stop Orlando's three point shooters and they dropped another tough one.

Trevor Booker had 13 rebounds in the losing effort.

The Wizards have two days off now before they return to Verizon Center to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night at 7:00 pm.

Highlights

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Postgame

WIZARDS GUARD JOHN WALL:

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On tonight’s game:
“It’s tough. We need to play more consistently over 48 minutes. We have to execute. We couldn’t make shots down the stretch and we couldn’t get the stops we needed. They made some open shots and did great job sharing the ball. They made plays at the end and we didn’t.”

WIZARDS GUARD JORDAN CRAWFORD:

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On tonight’s game:
“In the third quarter I was able to make some big shots and contribute on both sides of the ball to help my team get back in the game. We kept competing — that’s all we can do at this point. We have to find a way to play all 48 minutes each and every night. We have to pull out some of these close games and stay positive so we can turn it around.”

On the Magic:
“They are a tough team to guard. The key to their success tonight was their three-point shooting. They are able to spread the floor and knock down shots left and right from behind the arc. It causes problems because all of these shooters can play at the same time, and with Dwight Howard in the middle it’s a tough task.”

On getting the start tonight:
“I started the game tonight, but I don’t think my approach changed. I always have the attitude of being ready for whenever my name is called. I got kind of comfortable coming off the bench, but I will remain ready for whatever the case may be.”

WIZARDS FORWARD TREVOR BOOKER:

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WIZARDS HEAD COACH RANDY WITTMAN:

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On tonight’s game:
“We hung in there. At the end I just kind of mixed and matched trying to find the right combinations to get something going. Our effort was there in trying to do the things that we need to do to be competitive.”

On Trevor Booker:
“Dwight (Howard) couldn’t move him. The size differential hurt us in a couple of rebound situations, but Book (Trevor Booker) fought him as good as anyone we had tonight.”

On John Wall:
“John (Wall) is playing with great confidence right now. He’s trying to do what he has to do. Tonight we had a tough shooting game around him and assists didn’t show up. He was a little bit more aggressive. He had his shot going. He did a nice job.”